Economics of Sussex Cattle

Various reasons may be quoted as to why a rancher must consider a specific breed in his crossbreeding program. Many of these attributes are difficult to quantify, and the economic benefits are only sometimes clear. Sussex cattle, however, possess qualities of which the economic benefits are easily measured.

The most important of these must be the growth rate. In South Africa, ranchers produce weaners that are sold to feedlots and are finished in large numbers. Both the weaner and the A-grade price at the abattoir are determined by supply and demand, and the rancher has no control over these market forces. What the rancher can control, however, is how much of his product he can produce in the shortest time.

Farmers have become used to Sussex bulls adding 20-30kg to their average weaning weight at seven months. This figure may even be higher if the maternal animal is an indicus-type. Lighter calves may be marketed at a higher R/kg price, but the figures show that the old saying “weight beats price” still rings true.

The national Sussex herd has an average cow weight of 582kg and an average weaning weight of 235kg at seven months. At a price of R37/kg, these calves fetch R8 695 each when sold to a feedlot. A calf weighing 180kg must be sold for R48.30/kg to achieve the same result.

A 100-ha farm with a dry-material production of 1.5t/ha/year can carry 24 Sussex cows of 582kg. The same farm can carry 29 cows of a lighter breed weighing 480kg. The difference of five animals is due to metabolic weight being used in calculating the carrying capacity.

The revenue calculation is simple. Twenty-four weaners of 235kg each produce a total of 5 640kg beef or 56.4kg/ha. Twenty-nine weaners of 180kg each produce a total of 5 137kg beef or 51.37kg/ha. The difference of 503kg equates to R18 611 or R186.11/ha. The heavier weaners, although fewer, will produce more beef/ha. If the lighter weaners of 180kg fetch a price of R39/kg, they will still yield R83.37/ ha less than the heavier calf.

Keep in mind that the metabolic weight of the cow does reach a tipping point, where revenue starts reducing. The statement is not that heavier cows are better, but heavier weaners are. This is a simplified example assuming a 100% conception and weaning rate, but it simply illustrates the value that a heavier Sussex cross weaner may add to any cattle farming operation.

Between 2016 and 2019, a database was compiled of 3 000 animals in a feedlot in the Free State. This database consisted of 50% pure Sussex or F1 Sussex cross weaners. The other 50% consisted of various breeds. The results showed that the Sussex and Sussex-cross animals, on average, had an average daily gain (ADG) of 0.3kg higher than the other animals in the feedlot.

When considering a dressing percentage of 60% and a feeding period of 135 days, the Sussex and Sussex-cross animals had a carcass weight of 24.3kg heavier than the average. At the current A-grade price of R61/kg, this equates to additional revenue of R1 482. The Sussex carcasses also showed significantly less bruising due to their calm temperament, making it much easier to load, offload and handle them at feedlot and abattoir.

Whether you are looking for a heavier weaner, animals that are finished quicker or just more profit per hectare, consider a crossbreeding program with Sussex.

(Prices at the date of writing. Prices may vary at the date of publication)